Ask the Library: Reference

Yes, in structure, they are written the same way, except for the heading: Works Cited vs Bibliography

However, Works Cited and Bibliography are not the same in terms of their purpose. In Works Cited you only list items you have actually cited. In a Bibliography you list all of the material you have consulted in preparing your essay whether or not you have actually cited the work.

Works Cited is sometimes referred to as References. The terms mean the same thing. Each is an alphabetical list of works cited, or works to which you have made reference. Works Cited is generally used when citing sources using MLA (Modern Language Association) style, while the title References is used when citing sources using APA (American Psychological Association) style.